I too think that a setup that did not require a vehicle to anchor would be best, but if you are going to use a vehicle having it plug into the trailer hitch would be a better way than having to drive onto it to anchor it.

Nothing difficult about steadying the pole with the weight of a car sitting on a base plate (or frame.) But without the car, the base plate can still be effective by increasing the diameter and putting the weights (sandbags,) on the outter edge (for leverage.)

Of course the easiest thing to do would be to buy one. But not all can, and some simply perfer the DIY approach. (For me, that usually turns into a sub-hobby.)

Listen to the experts, they'll point out all the "whys" it won't work, then you're free to make it work. I enjoy applying that to all the hobbies I've taken up.

Bluecor,
I was planning on ordering one of the masts in the next few days and was wondering how robust the construction is and how much wobble you get with a small camera on top at full extension. I was planning on using a Sony p200, with housing and gear I should be around 11 0z. How much does the camera weigh that you are using now?
Thanks, Frank B.....

If I can hold a 20ft pole made of 1/2" bamboo canes with a 350g camera on the top steady enough to take the photo I posted above, I would think a much longer but stiffer pole would be relatively easy to hold up. Just remember that with all that weight up top and a long pole means a bigger turning moment about the point where you hold it.

By the way, I was holding that pole at arms length (using just my hands) whilst standing tip-toe on a bench!